Arcana Coelestia #6171
6171. 'And they had a possession in it' means given and set in order thus by the internal. This is clear from the meaning of 'a possession' as the position spiritual life occupies, dealt with in 6103; and since Joseph was the one who gave them that possession, verse 11, the giving and setting in order of that position by the internal is meant. It follows from the whole train of thought that this is what is meant.
Genesis 41:53-57
53
The seven years of plenty, that were in the land of Egypt, came to an end.
54
The seven years of famine began to come, just as Joseph had said. There was famine in all lands, but in all the land of Egypt there was bread.
55
When all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread, and Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians, "Go to Joseph. What he says to you, do."
56
The famine was over all the surface of the earth. Joseph opened all the store houses, and sold to the Egyptians. The famine was severe in the land of Egypt.
57
All countries came into Egypt, to Joseph, to buy grain, because the famine was severe in all the earth.
